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In Memoriam

This page is dedicated to the deputies of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's
Office in the state of Kansas, U.S.A. who made the supreme sacrifice in service
to and protection of our community. Visitors may leave reflections for
each officer on the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Deputy Carlos B. King

End of Watch: September 23, 1871

Deputy Sheriff Carlos King was shot and killed in modern-day
Harvey County. Deputy King had disarmed one Thomas Edwards for disturbing
the peace, and had run him out of town. Edwards re-armed himself and returned to
town, shooting and killing Deputy King. Although Harvey County was not organized
until February 29, 1872, it is likely that a deputy sheriff was in the county.
Although specific sources have not been located, it is possible, based upon
similar situations, that King was sent from Sedgwick County. Sedgwick County had
the judicial and administrative responsibility for Harvey County prior to and at
the time of its organization. It is more likely that King was a deputy sheriff
rather than a city police officer.

Deputy Frank
Hill

End of Watch: August 16, 1927

Sedgwick County Deputy Sheriff Frank Hill was shot and killed
during an attempted jail break by three inmates. The inmates were using a
revolver that had been smuggled into the jail. The escape was blocked by a jail
trustee and jail cook. All three inmates were kept in custody and charged
with first degree murder and other charges. Deputy Hill had been employed
with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for one year.

Detective
Roy Vance Johnson

End of Watch: October 31, 1974

Sedgwick County Sheriff Detective Roy Vance Johnson was shot
and killed while attempting to apprehend an escaped prisoner who had shot and
wounded a Wichita detective. Two other deputies were also shot and wounded
during the arrest. The suspect escaped the scene but was eventually caught and
sentenced to life in prison. Detective Johnson had been with the agency
for three years and was survived by his wife and children.

Detective
Terry Wayne McNett

End of Watch: February 3, 1988

Sedgwick County Sheriff Detective Terry Wayne McNett was shot
and killed while participating in the execution of a search warrant in Wichita,
Kansas. He was assigned to a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force at the
time of his death. Detective McNett was survived by his wife, daughter and son.

Deputy Christopher
C. Willems

End of Watch: May 12, 1991

Sedgwick County Sheriff Deputy Christopher C. Willems was shot
and killed while conducting a traffic stop. While questioning the three
occupants he grew suspicious of one of them. The man, who had an outstanding
warrant, had given Deputy Willems his brother's name. Deputy Willems was
granted permission to search the van and he located a small amount of marijuana.
As he placed the suspect under arrest a struggle ensued. During the struggle one
of the other men grabbed a .357 caliber revolver from the van and shot Deputy
Willems in the leg and then in the head, killing him. The suspect who had
struggled with Deputy Willems and the one who shot him were both convicted of
his murder and sent to prison. The third suspect, who had run from the scene
prior to the shooting, was not charged. Deputy Willems had served with the
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department for 7.5 years. He was survived by his
wife and two daughters.

Deputy Kevin
S. Easter

End of Watch: January 8, 1996

Sedgwick County Sheriff Deputy Kevin S. Easter was shot and
killed during a vehicle stop where the driver had initially refused to yield.
Wichita police officers backing up Deputy Easter found all the juveniles next to
the car with one of them suffering a bullet wound in the leg. All of the
juveniles were arrested and a search for Deputy Easter was commenced.
Deputy Easter was found suffering from a gunshot wound and later died during
surgery. Deputy Easter had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's
Department for 2 years. The shooter was 14 years old and sentenced to 55 years
in prison.

Sergeant Kenneth
Eugene Snider

End of Watch: April 18, 1997

Sedgwick County Sheriff Sergeant Kenneth Eugene Snider was
killed after being stabbed at a domestic disturbance. Sergeant Snider and
three other deputies had responded to the call and were assessing what was
happening when the suspect ran through the house. All the deputies
followed and a struggle ensued by the back door. Within a matter of
seconds the suspect pulled a knife and stabbed Sergeant Snider in the back,
severing a major artery. He attempted to stab the other deputies but was
subdued. Sergeant Snider was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local
hospital. The suspect had a history of mental illness and was well known to
police. He had been arrested in the past for battery on a law enforcement
officer and was on parole at the time of the attack. In August 1998, the
suspect died during a struggle with detention deputies at the Sedgwick County
Detention Facility while incarcerated during his trial. Deputy Snider had
served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.

Deputy
Brian S. Etheridge

End of Watch: September 28, 2009

Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Etheridge died
from gunshot wounds received when he was responding to a larceny report.
Deputy Etheridge was shot twice after arriving at a house on south Rock Road
where the larceny was reported. He was transported to Wesley Medical Center and
underwent surgery, but he succumbed to his wounds a few hours after he was shot.
The suspect, a 27-year-old male, was spotted in a field about a quarter-mile
from the shooting and was wounded as he exchanged gunfire with law enforcement
officers. He also died from his wounds.
Deputy Etheridge had served with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office for 18
months.

Mission: To assure quality public services that provide for the present and future well-being of the citizens of Sedgwick County.